Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi names 90 members of the upper house of parliament set to assume legislative powers if constitution passes on Saturday

Presidential spokesperson Yasser Ali has announced on Saturday evening the names of 90 members of the Shura Council chosen by President Mohamed Morsi, according to his constitutional prerogatives, to fill one third of the 270-member body.

According to a statement posted on Ali's official Facebook page, the appointed members represent 17 political parties, of which 12 parties were not previously represented among Shura members. The appointed members also include 8 women, 12 Copts (including 8 Church representatives), 5 Azhar representatives and 2 representatives of the January 25 revolution's injured.

The presidential spokesperson also stated that those appointed include legal and constitutional experts, NGO members, Syndicate members, academics and Egyptian bedouins.

The Shura Council (Upper House of parliament) would take over the power to issue laws from the president if voters approve a new constitution on Saturday.

Of the prominent names included in those appointed are Deputy Head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party Essam El-Erian, Former Head of Military Judiciary Adel El-Morsi, American University in Cairo (AUC) professor Mona Makram Ebeid and former MP Ramy Lakah.

Tens of liberal and leftist figures have declined the positions offered to them by the president in the Shura Council.

This means that members of the main opposition's parties, previously represented in the now-dismantled People's Assembly, are now not represented in new appointments to the Shura Council.

The announcement comes on the last day of constitutional referendum. The final results of the constitution poll, which ended on Saturday night, are expected to be announced on Tuesday.

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Nazeer Ataullah

23-12-2012 11:55am

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Well Done

Well balance selection. Well Done President Morsi.

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Yasser

23-12-2012 08:32am

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When will they learn to live with Morsi!

Pseudoliberals hate the constitution,the Shoura council appointments and the dissolved parliament! What they really want is democracy without Morsi and the Islamists! Personally, I am impressed with Morsi and the MB. They gave me a secular constitution and I am free to drink if I want, to wear what I want and to say what I want. The one thing I want them to do is to clean up the country, once and for all. I voted liberal/socialist last time but I plan to switch to moderate Islamic parties. Keep it up Morsi :-)

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Um-zeenab

23-12-2012 06:43am

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Watch your language!

Other respected leaders refuse to join the GOv. and go with the flow. YOu stand for what you beleive in or you losae your humanity. If they do what they claim, the country will be down slippery slope to oblivious. Can you imagine 30% taxex, shutting down tourist industry, laying of 100,000 of textil workers, forbid art and musics, no US wheat ais, no subsidies, ...